Accolade 37TS Maiden Voyage

[EA37TS]

For those that might be interested

This past weekend we took the Accolade on its maiden voyage. We spent 3 days and 2 nights at the RVacation RV Park in Selma, NC.

We found a couple issues during the shakedown which include:

• The door to the coach sticks. The door can be difficult to open and close due to the sticking.
• Hot water heater does not work on electric. Works fine on LP
• Trim rings around recline buttons on heater seating fell off and one is missing
• The dash radio would change from Sirius/XM to FM for no apparent reason.

The stats for the trip were 298.4 miles round trip. I used a little less than 1/4 tank of fuel.

The Accolade towed the Jeep Grand Cherokee at 63 MPH like there was nothing behind it. Not a single road related downshift the entire trip. There are a couple of areas where the Challenger always downshifted one or two gears.

Things we plan to do:

• Get a portable step for outside. This coach sits higher than the Challenger so a portable step may be of assistance at times.
• Get a wireless wifi enabled smart BluRay player. This will be cheaper than replacing the dumb TV.
• Tire valve extensions for the inner duals. This has to be done before I can install my TPMS.

The things we added on all worked without issue (solar, MobileEye and Winegard Connect 2)

All in all we are extremely happy with the shakedown.


BTW, coming back yesterday we saw 2 Senecas heading south on I95, as we were heading north, between Roanoke Rapids and Selma, NC. The 2 were probably separated by 15 miles at the most.

[Rustynuts]

Abounds like a pretty short list for the first outing. As far as the extra step because the coach is higher, you might search here for adding an air dump for the rear air bags. This helps a LOT at keeping the whole coach lower when leveling. At ride height these set high in the rear and when you start leveling, the front has to raise up so far because of the higher rear. Fore I added mine, it was pretty common to have the front tires coming off the ground, now it never happens.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ves-58963.html

On the door latch, I was constantly battling ours and I finally pulled the inside trim and found no support between the wall and door frame so when the latch screws were run in, it pulls the whole frame and latch over so the back side of the pins rub on the striker. I pulled the screws and then cut some Baltic birch plywood the correct thickness to fit in the gap and move the Fram over into the correct position. I then did a little “tweaking” of the latch with a large prybar and now can close and latch the door with just a push of one finger.

[Robbbyr]

I second Rustynuts recommendation of an air dump system!

As far as your water heater issue you should have a separate 120-volt circuit breaker feeding the electric heating element. Ensure it is completely on, suggest even cycling if fully off then back on. I thought I remember someone had an issue with their unit where the wire wasn't even connected to the breaker! It was just loose in the panel!

Another scenario could be if the element is burned out due to being left on when there was no water in the water heater. Happened to a friend's unit brand new before he drove it off the dealer's lot! Did it work before?

[RVermont]

Great to hear you had a good first trip after your initial issues.

In the past three years I have only seen a few Senecas on the road they are a rare beast. Seeing two is a good sign and means you are going to have good fortunes with your unit.

I agree with the air dump and if you are going to boondock the installation of a water recirculation loop will save you significant amounts of water.

Best wishes with your rig and safe travels.